Peter Van Valkenburgh, Chief Research Officer at Coin Center, and David Morris, Chief Insights Columnist at CoinDesk, break down the recent verdict in the Roman Storm case. They discuss the significant split decision, particularly the implications of the unlicensed money-transmission charge for non-custodial developers. Peter outlines possible appeals and the broader ramifications for financial privacy legislation. David shares gripping courtroom insights, including jury dynamics and emotional moments. The verdict serves as both a wake-up call and a unique opportunity for crypto regulation.
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insights INSIGHT
Breakdown of Roman Storm Charges
Roman Storm faced three conspiracy charges: money laundering, unlicensed money transmission, and sanctions evasion. He was found guilty only on the unlicensed money transmission charge while the jury was hung on the others.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Roman's Stoic Optimism
Roman Storm remained stoic and optimistic during jury deliberations despite the trial's stress. His attitude helped as the jury took longer than usual, indicating indecision.
insights INSIGHT
Conflict Between Regulations and Law
FinCEN guidance from 2019 states non-custodial developers do not need money transmitter licenses. However, the criminal code's broader interpretation allowed prosecution despite this guidance.
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Welcome to BanklessTV, featuring Peter Van Valkenburgh from Coin Center and David Morris of The Rage, freshly back from the SDNY courtroom with the inside scoop on the Roman Storm verdict. In this episode we unpack the split decision—how Storm beat the money-laundering and sanctions-evasion counts yet was found guilty on the hot-button “unlicensed money-transmission” charge—and what that single conviction means for every non-custodial developer in crypto. Peter breaks down the legal tightrope between FinCEN guidance and DOJ prosecution, outlines three clear appeal paths (including the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act), and explains why Roman’s case could still become a rallying point for financial-privacy legislation. David shares firsthand color from the trial: jury deadlocks, high-stakes witness drama, and the emotional moment Storm walked free to see his daughter. Join us to hear why this verdict is both a wake-up call and an opportunity, what Congress, the courts, and the next administration might do next, and how the outcome could reshape DeFi, privacy tech, and open-source innovation for years to come.
0:28 Introduction to the Roman Storm Case 0:58 Reflections on the Verdict 3:37 Understanding the Charges 4:07 Breakdown of the Conspiracy Counts 8:40 The Sentencing Landscape 9:29 Courtroom Atmosphere and Reactions 11:18 The Appeal Process 15:20 Roman's Optimism After the Verdict 17:08 Legal Standards and Implications 21:58 The Role of FinCEN Guidance 26:03 The Bigger Picture for DeFi 29:25 Jury Dynamics Explained 34:08 Optimistic Outcomes and Future Paths 36:25 Legislative Changes Ahead 39:54 The Potential for Re-prosecution 47:43 The Impact of Political Climate 51:37 Paths to Clarity in Legislation 55:45 The Future of Non-Custodial Projects 1:02:08 The Importance of Precedent 1:08:27 Closing Thoughts on the Case 1:09:13 A Call to Action for Support 1:15:37 Supporting the Cause 1:18:13 Final Reflections on the Journey
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